Method, apparatus, and systems for remotely monitoring the location and usage history of radioactive materials stored with a shielded container or overpack

Abstract

A radioactive source information tracking and reporting system and method is disclosed. The system and method include a device operable to detect a presence of a radioactive source contained within a shielded container. The device is further operable to detect a location of the shielded container. A message is generated and transmitted to a central facility. The message includes a shielded container identifier, a location of the shielded container, and an indication of the presence of the radioactive source.

1. A device for reporting information regarding a shielded container and first radioactive source contained within the shielded container, the device comprising:
 a global positioning system (GPS) device, the GPS device comprising an antenna and a receiver; 
 a wireless communication device; 
 a first sensor configured to detect the presence of the first radioactive source within the shielded container; 
 an external shield configured to inhibit a detection of a second radioactive source located in a position other than within the shielded container; and 
 a first processor coupled to each of the GPS device, the wireless communication device and the radiation sensor. 
 
     
     
       2. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a second sensor configured to detect a motion of the shielded container. 
     
     
       3. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication device is configured to receive beacon signal comprising a location identifier from an external source and, upon receiving the beacon signal, the processor is configured to transmit at least one of: a location; a second identifier and an indication of the presence of the first radioactive source as part of a message. 
     
     
       4. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to detect a change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and the location of the shielded container. 
     
     
       5. The device as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to store, in a memory unit, information relating to the detected change and transmit the information to a central facility at a time subsequent to the detection of the change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container. 
     
     
       6. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the communication device comprises at least one of a cellular modem, a satellite modem, a wifi transceiver, and infrared transceiver and a radio frequency transceiver. 
     
     
       7. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is configured to detect at least one of a Gamma, Beta and Neutron particle. 
     
     
       8. The device as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first sensor is configured to identify the radioactive source. 
     
     
       9. The device as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the first sensor comprises at least one of an RFID transponder, a SAW device, and a RuBee™ transceiver. 
     
     
       10. A location-information system for tracking and reporting information regarding a first radioactive source, the system comprising:
 an insulating material disposed around an inner cavity; 
 the inner cavity dimensioned to contain the first radioactive source; 
 a microcontroller circuit configured to detect the presence or absence of the radioactive source within the inner cavity; 
 an external shield configured to inhibit the detection of a second radioactive source located in a position other than within the inner cavity; 
 a wireless communication device configured to receive command and query information and transmit report information, the wireless communication device further configured to receive a beacon signal comprising an external identifier from an external terrestrial source; and 
 a location determination device. 
 
     
     
       11. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein said information comprises at least one of geographic location information, storage pit identification information, radiation level information, radiation type information, maintenance history, handling procedures and emergency response documentation. 
     
     
       12. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the beacon signal comprises a storage pit identifier from a beacon device located within a storage pit. 
     
     
       13. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the beacon device is an RFID. 
     
     
       14. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein the wireless communication device is configured to transmit the report information to a relay device, the report information comprising at least one of a radioactive source identifier, a shielded container identifier and the storage pit identifier. 
     
     
       15. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the relay device is configured to receive the report information from the wireless communication device and transmit the report information to a central facility. 
     
     
       16. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising an accelerometer configured to detect a motion. 
     
     
       17. The location-information system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of sensors are configured to detect at least one of Gamma, Beta or Neutron particles. 
     
     
       18. The location information system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the microcontroller circuit is configured to identify the radioactive source. 
     
     
       19. A method for monitoring a first radioactive source in a shielded container, the method comprising:
 detecting the presence of the first radioactive source contained within the shielded container; 
 inhibiting a detection of a second radioactive source located in a position other than within the shielded container; 
 determining a location of the shielded container; 
 receiving a beacon signal comprising an external identifier from an external terrestrial source; and 
 upon receiving the beacon signal, transmitting a message, the message including at least one of the location of the shielded container, an identifier corresponding to the shielded container, and an indication of at least one of the presence or absence of the radioactive source. 
 
     
     
       20. The method as set forth in  claim 19 , further comprising the steps of detecting a change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container. 
     
     
       21. The method as set forth in  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of storing information relating to the detected change in a memory unit and transmitting the information to a central facility at a time subsequent to the detection of the change in one of the presence of the radioactive source and location of the shielded container. 
     
     
       22. The method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the external source is a relay transceiver associated with an overpack or a storage pit. 
     
     
       23. The method as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein the step of detecting the presence of the radioactive source further comprises identifying the radioactive source.